Portable shipboard gunnery training/diagnostic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A rugged portable diagnostic apparatus is configured for temporary installation and operation on board Naval ships. The apparatus provides gunnery training support by allowing a comprehensive empirical assessment and feedback of individual, team and equipment performance on an economical and environmentally responsible basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to weaponry training apparatus, but moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a gunnerytraining/diagnostic apparatus suitable for use aboard ship undersimulated or actual firing conditions.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art, a need has been established to configure a portable,shipboard training/diagnostic apparatus so as to identify and correctoperator or equipment related deficiencies prior to, and during, liveordnance firings on naval gun fire support (NGFS) ranges. The apparatusshould permit hands-on operator training and equipment diagnostics onthe ship's "machinery", i.e., fire control computer, gun fire controlsystem, etc. This will result in fewer on-range abortions and reducedfuel useage, and create an effective training capability that willdepend less on conditions, personnel and training regulations at theNGFS ranges.

Traditionally, the Navy has always had a problem in training for gunneryexercises. In the past, when at the NGFS ranges, there was no feedbackmechanism to let the gunnery or training officer know what was wrongwhen targets were not hit. Typically, the gunnery personnel would go tothe range aboard ship and just fire, and if the projectiles were ontarget then the gunnery exercise would be considered a success. However,if the projectiles were off target there was no way of ascertaining whythey were off target, i.e., no "positive feedback".

A typical ship has a lot of "machinery" in the form of computers,navigational equipment and gun mounts that can malfunction. Also, thereare spotters at the range whose primary job is to relay information backto the gunnery officer onboard ship relating to the projectiles beingfired. There is a "safety zone" around the target, and if theprojectiles are not within this safety zone, the range officer willgenerally require the exercise to cease. Now if the projectiles arewithin the safety zone, the training personnel can sit there all day andshoot at the targets without hitting them.

Even if the spotters tell a gunnery officer whether they are long orshort of the target, this information is only useful if the patterns arepredictable, i.e., constant. Accordingly, if the foregoing is the casethere will be eventually a hit on the target. However, if the error israndom, say, a human problem, there is no way to find this out duringthe gunnery exercise and compensate in a rational manner. The foregoingtechnique is quite time consuming, which translates into a higher costin manhours, equipment and expenditures of projectiles.

Consequently, there is a need in the prior art to configure an apparatusthat is portable and that can be carried onboard ship and connected tothe ship's "machinery" and identify all of the errors in the system.

As further background material, U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,795, filed July 3,1972, to Michelsen, entitled, "Weapon Aim Evaluation System", disclosesa system for qualitatively indicating the accuracy of aim of a weaponincluding a transponder on the target to measure its range, signal meansrepresenting gun fire control parameters, a television camera to followthe target having means to signal the elevation and azimuth of this lineof sight and also to register the position of a signal light on theaircraft. All of these signals are received by a data processing unitwhich calculates the path of a conventional projectile and compares itto the flight of the target. The system exhibits the score of hits ormisses and errors in azimuth and elevation. The system does not appearto have the means to produce a display of navigation plots, fall of shot(FOS) plotting nor projectile velocity measurements.

Consequently, there is a need in the prior art to configure an apparatusto accomplish the foregoing while being portable and configured fortemporary installation and operation onboard Navy ships.

The prior art, as indicated hereinabove, include advances in weaponrytraining systems. However, insofar as can be determined no prior artweaponry training system incorporates all of the features and advantagesof the present invention.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to configurean apparatus that is portable and can be carried onboard ship andconnected to the ship's "machinery" so as to identify errors therein.

Another object of the present invention is to configure an apparatusthat can be used for both an actual gunnery exercise or a simulationthereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to configure theapparatus so that it is portable and can diagnose malfunctions in theship's "machinery" used in the gunnery exercises, but yet be"transparent" to the ship's "machinery".

Still a further object of the present invention is to configure theapparatus so as to operate with ships having both analog data anddigital data and/or digital data sources.

Still a further object of the present invention is to configure theapparatus to generate a permanent record of the training errors andtraining conditions for subsequent review and study.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above stated objects, and other objects, featuresand advantages, the apparatus of the present invention has a primarypurpose to provide training support and to maintain readiness byallowing a comprehensive empirical assessment and feedback ofindividual, team and equipment performance during gunnery exercises onan economical and environmentally responsible basis.

The essence of the present invention is in its portability, and itsprogrammability which allows it to be used with different ship classes.It can also be used to train shipboard operators and provide equipmentdiagnostics and evaluation.

The purpose of the present invention is carried out by configuring theportable shipboard gunnery training/diagnostic apparatus to comprise atarget information unit, a range interface unit, a projectile velocitymeasurement unit, a data collection unit and a simulation/analysis unit.The target information unit generates real time ship position inreference to the position of the desired target. The data collectionunit, in accordance with a predetermined program, assimulates data fromshipboard digital and/or analog sources, the aforementioned targetinformation unit in coaction with the range interface unit and theprojectile velocity measurement unit. The data is formatted and recordedon a recorder portion of the data collection unit and displayed on adisplay portion thereof. Concurrently, all of the data is transferred innear real time to the simulation/analysis unit which displays innear-real time the pertinent data related to the gunnery exercise beingconducted and analysis and related thereto. Simulated gunnery exercisesto qualify errors encountered during the actual gunnery exercise isavailable via the simulation/analysis unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The previously stated objects, other objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent from the following moreparticular description of a preferred embodiment as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a portable shipboard gunerytraining/diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 2a-2d are illustrations of the four operational phases of theapparatus of FIG. 1 used in explaining the operation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a portable shipboard gunnery/diagnosticapparatus 10 in which the present invention is employed to providetraining support and maintain readiness by allowing a comprehensiveempirical assessment and feedback of individual, team and equipmentperformance during an actual or simulated gunnery exercise on aneconomical and environmental responsible basis. In essence, theapparatus 10 comprises a target information unit 12 (TIU) for measuringthe distance from an associated ship to a desired target, a rangeinterface unit (RIU) 14 operatively connected to the target informationunit 12 for multiplexing the range information therefrom andconditioning it for subsequent transmission. The apparatus 10 furthercomprises a projectile velocity measurement unit (PVMU) 16 for measuringthe initial velocity of projectiles as they exit the barrels of guns onthe associated ship and a data collection unit (DCU) 18. The datacollection unit 18 is operatively connected to the aforementioned targetinformation unit 12 via the range interface unit 14. As shown, the datacollection unit 18 is also operatively connected to the aforementionedprojectile velocity measurement unit 16. Shipboard sources (from theship's "machinery") of digital and/or analog data are additionalconnected and used to provide external function signals, e.g., 16 Hzsampling strobe. The apparatus 10 also comprises a simulation/analysisunit 20 which is operatively connected to the data collection unit 18for simulating analyzing and evaluating according to a predeterminedprogram, the simulated or actual data from the data collection unit 18.

The target information unit 12 comprises first and second targetlocation transponders 22 and 24, respectively, which are physicallylocated so as to bracket the desired target such that triangulationtechniques can be used to determine real-time ship-target positioninformation. The target location transponders 22 and 24 are radiotransmitter/receivers which transmit identifable signals automaticallywhen properly interrogated by a TIU receiver/transmitter 26. Theposition information received by the TIU receiver/transmitter 26 is fedto a TIU range processor 28. The TIU range processor 28 determines theactual target distance or range of each of the target locationtransponders 22 and 24 on an alternate continuous basis in reference tothe ship's position.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the range interface unit (RIU) 14 comprises aRIU multiplexer 30 and a RIU modem 32. The range information from theaforementioned TIU range processor 28 drives the RIU multiplexer 30which converts the range information corresponding to the targetlocation transponders 22 and 24 into asimultaneous transmission thereof.The output of the RIU multiplexer 30 drives the RIU modem 32 whichmodulates the range information for subsequent transmission.

The projectile velocity measurement unit 16 comprises a plurality ofprojectile velocity sensors 34, a corresponding plurality of projectilevelocity processors 36 and a corresponding plurality of projectilevelocity modems 38. For purposes of the present invention, the pluralityof projectile velocity sensors 34 can each be a doppler radar mounted oneach gun barrel, and the projectile velocity processor 36 correspondingthereto can be a processor of the velocimeter type which is configuredto interpret the frequency shift caused by the movement of theprojectile. Accordingly, the combination of the foregoing elementsallows for the measurement of the initial velocity of the projectile asit exists the gun barrel. The corresponding plurality of projectilevelocity modems 38 condition the signal(s) for subsequent transmission.Of course, a modem is a functional unit that modulates and demodulatessignals. The function here is to enable digital data to be transmittedover analog transmission facilities.

To continue, and still referring to the block diagram representation ofFIG. 1, the data collection unit (DCU) 18 for storing and retrievingdata comprises a DCU range modem 40, a plurality of DCU velocity modems42 and a DCU multiprocessor 44. The DCU multiprocessor 44 comprises amain processor 46 for controlling timing and interpreting commands, afirst secondary processor 48, a second secondary processor 50 and athird secondary processor 52. All of the aforementioned processors areconfigured to communicate without manual intervention. Also, thesecondary processors 48, 50 and 52 are dedicated and have predeterminedprograms for collecting data form the sources shown in FIG. 1.Continuing, the data collection unit 18 further comprises a DCUdisplay/keyboard 54, a DCU recorder 56, a DCU analog interface 58 and aDCU digital interface 60.

As shown in FIG. 1, the output of the RIU modem 32 of the rangeinterface unit 14 is operatively connected to the DCU range modem 40whose output is connected to the first secondary processor 48. Each ofthe plurality of the projectile velocity modems 38 are connected tocorresponding ones of the plurality of DCU velocity modems 42. Theoutputs of the DCU velocity modems 42 are connected to the same firstsecondary processor 48 of the DCU multiprocessor 44. The DCUdisplay/keyboard is configured to communicate with the main processor 46of the DCU multiprocessor 44 and the DCU recorder 54 is configured tocommunicate with the second secondary processor 52 of the aforementionedDCU multiprocessor 44. The data collection unit 18 is configured tohandle both digital and analog data. This is necessary since the"machinery" of some ships include analog computers while others includedigital computers. The data collection unit 18 is configured to handleboth types of data and convert it into the proper format for use in thethird secondary processor 52 of the DCU multiprocessor 44.

The simulation/analysis unit 20 of the portable shipboard gunnerytraining/diagnostic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a SAU computer 62,a SAU display/printer 64 which is operatively connected to the SAUcomputer 62 so as to display the processed data therefrom and to print ahard copy of the processed data assembled during a simulated or actualgunnery exercise. The simulation/analysis unit 20 also includes a SAUinterface 66 and a SAU recorder 68. The SAU 66 interface formats thedata processed by the SAU computer 62 into a suitable form for recordingon the SAU recorder 68. The SAU recorder 68 of the simulation/analysisunit 20 and the DCU recorder 56 of the data collection unit 18 are bothconfigured so as to communicate with their corresponding computer orprocessor, i.e., data can be fetched from and recorded on theaforementioned recorders. As shown, the main processor 46 of the datacollection unit 18 communicates with the SAU computer 62 of thesimulation/analysis unit 20. Accordingly, the simulation/analysis unit20 is used to simulate gunnery exercises, reconstruct gunnery firingevents and summarize and interpret training exercise results.

STATEMENT OF THE OPERATION

Details of the operation according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, are explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2 asviewed concurrently.

Training and readiness deficiencies in need of correction, and pressuresto reduce or eliminate firings on land ranges are responsible for aphased approach in configuring the portable shipboard gunnerytraining/diagnostic apparatus 10. Each successive operational phase, asshown in FIGS. 2a-2d, is designed to increase confidence that theassociated ship will be ready to conduct gunnery exercises with minimaldetrimental effect on the environment. The apparatus 10 also allowsnon-firing practice, which is a major consideration of munitionsconservation. Through the modular design of the apparatus 10,operational phases one, two, and three can operate without involving theentire configuration of FIG. 1. The fourth phase, shown in FIG. 2d,involves the use of all of the elements of the apparatus 10.

Phase 1 consists of dockside training. Trainees operate shipboard"machinery" which interfaces with the apparatus 10 via the datacollection unit 18. During this phase, a gunnery problem, includingnavigation, target, and spotting data can be simulated. From theforegoing inputs, the apparatus 10 will compute an ideal navigationaltrack and use it to generate ranges and/or bearings to known referencepoints. The trainees are then evaluated on their ability to plot dataand correctly compute the associated ship's course and speed and currentset and drift.

In Phase 2, the associated ship is at sea for live open ocean practice.The projectile velocity measurement unit 16 is required to measure theinitial velocity of the projectiles. Accordingly, the data collectionunit 18, the simulation/analysis unit 20 and the aforementionedprojectile velocity measurement unit 16 are all used in phase 2.

During this open ocean phase, the apparatus 10 functions somewhat as inPhase 1, the major difference being the availability of more dynamic andempirical data (including the initial velocity of each projectile fired)for use by the apparatus 10. The associated ship's actual course andspeed are used to develop a simulated track. This operational phaseensures that the ship's guns function properly and that there are noexcessive errors.

In Phase 3, the associated ship is near the target site for on-rangenon-firing practice. The target information unit 12 and the rangeinterface unit 14 coact to measure the distance from the target byusing, inter alia, the target location transponders 22 and 24. Phase 3uses the target information unit 12, the range interface 14, the datacollection unit 18 and the simulation/analysis unit 20.

The major functions of Phase 3 are to evaluate the associated ship'screw on its ability to navigate against a real NGFS range and to predictthe impact coordinates of a projectile prior to actual firings. Theapparatus 10 also allows monitoring of the associated ship's actualposition and its position as formulated by the navigational teams andgenerated by the ship's "machinery". These two positions are displayedon the simulation/analysis unit display/printer 64 in real time to aidin evaluating the crew's navigation capabilities. Predicting thecoordinates of an impact prior to actual firings reduces exerciseabortions caused by poor gunnery performance.

During Phase 4, the associated ship is near the target site for on-rangequalification firings. All elements of the apparatus 10 are required forthis qualifying phase. The apparatus 10 functions as a data collectionand monitoring device during Phase 4. As a monitoring device, theapparatus 10 displays (in real time) the actual position of theassociated ship relative to the target, as well as the ship's ownversion of its position and the initial velocity of each projectilefired. Upon completion of the gunnery exercise, the apparatus 10 allowsfor an analytical reconstruction of the entire gunnery exerciseincluding the isolation and quantification of firing errors. The resultsof this analysis is used to correct deficiencies prior to deployment.

To those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of thepresent invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that the present invention can be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein and still be within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detachable portable shipboardgunnery/diagnostic apparatus for simulation, analysis and assessment ofsimulated and actual live ordnance firings comprising:a targetinformation unit for measuring the range information from an associatedship on which said portable shipboard gunnery/diagnostic apparatus isplaced to a desired shore target; a range interface unit operativelyconnected to said target information unit for multiplexing the rangeinformation therefrom and conditioning it for subsequent transmission, aprojectile velocity measurement-unit for measuring the initial velocityof projectiles as they exit the barrels of guns on the associated ship;a data collection unit operatively connected to said range interfaceunit and said projectile velocity measurement unit for storing andretrieving data therefrom, said collection unit including detachableinterfacing means for detachably interfacing information from the"machinery" of the associated ship for deriving gunnery, diagnostic andballistic parameters, and a simulation/analysis unit operativelyconnected to said data collection unit and being configured to simulate,summarize and interpret training exercise results, saidsimulation/analysis unit being operatively connected to said mainprocessor and having a predetermined program for processing the actualgunnery data from said data collection unit and for simulating an actualgunnery exercise.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said targetinformation unit comprises:a plurality of target location transpondersbeing located in a predetermined fashion so as to bracket the desiredshore target so that triangulation techniques can be used to determinereal-time, ship-target position information; a receiver/transmitteroperatively connected to said plurality of target location transpondersand being configured to interrogate said plurality of target locationtransponders so as to receive identifiable signals corresponding to thereal-time, ship-target position information; and a range processoroperatively connected to said receiver/transmitter for determining therange information of said plurality of target location transpondersalternately from the position of the associated ship on a continuousbasis.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said range interface unitcomprises:a multiplexer operatively connected to said range processorfor interleaving the range information corresponding to the location ofthe desired shore target into a simultaneous transmission thereof; and arange information unit modem operatively connected to said multiplexerfor modulating the range information for transmission to said datacollection unit.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said projectilevelocity measurement unit comprises:a plurality of projectile sensorseach mounted on corresponding gun barrels of the associated ship forgenerating a signal corresponding to the motion of the projectiles asthey exit the gun barrels; a plurality of projectile velocity processorsoperatively connected to corresponding ones of said plurality ofprojectile sensors for converting the signal corresponding to the motionof the projectiles on a continuous basis into the initial velocitiesthereof; and a plurality of velocity modems operatively connected tocorresponding ones of said plurality of projectile velocity processorsfor modulating the initial velocity information for transmission to saiddata collection unit.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said datacollection unit comprises:a data collection unit range modem fordemodulating the modulated range information from said range informationunit modem; a plurality of data collection unit velocity modemsoperatively connected to corresponding ones of said plurality ofvelocity modems of said projectile velocity measurement unit fordemodulating the modulated initial velocity information therefrom; and adata base collection unit multiprocessor operatively connected to saidsimulation/analysis unit, said data collection unit range modem, saidplurality of data collection unit velocity modems, and said means forinterfacing information from the "machinery" of the associated ship forthe simultaneous storaging and retrieving of the information therefrom.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said data collection unit furthercomprises a data collection unit display/keyboard operatively connectedto said data collection unit multiprocessor for monitoring and directingthe operating modes thereof.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein saiddata collection unit further comprises a data collection unit recorderoperatively connected to said data collection unit multiprocessor forcollecting data for post test analysis.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7wherein said data collection multiprocessor comprises:a first secondaryprocessor operatively connected to said data collection unit range modemand said plurality of data collection unit velocity modems and having apredetermined program for the data collection operation required, whichis the collecting of range and velocity data; a second secondaryprocessor operatively connected to said data collection unit recorderand having a predetermined program for the data operation required,which is the collecting of data for post test analysis; a thirdsecondary processor operatively connected to said means for interfacingthe information from the "machinery" of the associated ship and having apredetermined program for the data operation required, which is thecollecting of data from the "machinery" of the associated ship; and amain processor operatively connected to said first, second and thirdsecondary processors, to said simulation/analysis unit and said datacollection display/keyboard and having a predetermined program forcontrolling the timing and interpreting commands therefor.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for interfacing information fromthe "machinery" of the associated ship comprises:a data collection unitdigital interface operatively connected to said third secondaryprocessor for converting information from the "machinery" of theassociated ship, in the form of digital data, into the proper format foruse thereby; and a data collection unit analog interface operativelyconnected to said third secondary processor for converting informationfrom the "machinery" of the associated ship, in the form of analog data,into the proper format for use thereby.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9wherein said simulation/analysis unit comprises:a simulation/analysisunit display/printer operatively connected to said simulation/analysisunit computer for displaying the processed data therefrom and forprinting a hard copy of the simulated or actual gunnery exercise; asimulation/analysis unit recorder; and a simulation/analysis unitinterface operatively connected between said simulation/analysiscomputer and said simulation/analysis recorder for formatting the dataprocessed by said simulation/analysis unit computer into a form suitablefor recording in said simulation/analysis unit recorder.